Do Toe Spacers or Other Devices Actually Work For Treating Bunion or Other Toe Issues

Q: Do toe spacers actually work for treating bunions or other toe issues?

The Doctors @ Foot First Podiatry: We spend years studying foot anatomy, biomechanics, surgery — and you have these ads on TV or social media advertising, “Here, jam this piece of rubber between your toes, problem solved!” If it were that easy, our patients would’ve just raided the kids’ toy aisle.

Q: What should people really do when dealing with bunions or long, crooked toes?

The Doctors @ Foot First Podiatry: If you’re dealing with embarrassing bunions or long, crooked toes — first of all, we are sorry. Second, no internet gadget is going to reverse bone deformities. Conservative stuff like pads and spacers can give you temporary relief, sure. But if you actually want to fix the problem — not just smoosh it and hope for the best — come talk to a real doctor.

Q: Why should they come to Foot First?

The Doctors @ Foot First Podiatry: Because we don’t just fix your feet — we give them a makeover. Hidden incisions so nobody knows you had surgery, walking right away without crutches or casts, and faster healing with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and laser therapy. We’re like the secret agents of foot surgery — in, out, no one even knows what happened. Except your sandals. They’ll know. They’ll be proud.

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To see how the doctors at Foot First Podiatry tackle bunions  - big and small - and long, crooked toes, follow us on Instagram (@footfirstpod), or check out our website (www.footfirst.com).

If you would like a consultation regarding your foot issues, please use the contact us form on our website or give the office a call at 847-352-9221.

The Surgical Patient's Experience

Pre-Operative Photos | www.footfirst.com

Can you walk us through the surgical patient experience at Foot First Podiatry?

The surgical patient will first start with a consultation followed by a pre-operative appointment. Here you can see two views of this patient’s pre-operative photos. This patient was very insecure about their bunion deformity as well as their long, crooked toes making it difficult to wear certain shoes and never wanting to show off their feet at the beach or in any sandals.

Immediate Post-Operative | www.footfirst.com

So after the pre-operative appointment, the patient then goes to surgery?

Yes, here you can see the patient’s immediate post-operative photo. We performed our Sklar Bunionectomy and toe shortening and straightening procedures. You’ll notice there are no visible incisions. However, things are not beautiful yet. We tell all our patient’s to expect 4 months of ugliness, because the foot will bruise and swell at first. This patient was able to bear weight immediately in a surgical shoe with a limited walking restriction.

3 weeks Post-Operative | www.footfirst.com

What does that healing look like?

Well, here you can see her healing at 3 weeks. At this point, all her stitches were removed and she is cleared to return to a gym shoe approved by our office. She will continue limited walking. Her scabbing, bruising and swelling again are normal and expected at this visit.

1 year Post-Operative | www.footfirst.com

When should patients expect their final result?

Most patients will see full results within a year. Here is the before and after photo of that same patient about a year out from surgery, with no visible scars, showing off her new foot in a cute sandal.

If you would like a consultation, please use the contact us form on our website or contact the office at 847-352-9221.  

Popular Winter Procedures for your Feet!

Many patients opt for surgeries like the Sklar bunionectomy and toe shortening, as well as treatments for toenail fungus during the winter in order to showcase their beautiful results in their cute sandals come summertime! 

What is toe shortening surgery? 

Toe shortening is a transformative procedure for patients who tell us about how embarrassed they are to wear open-toe shoes, get pedicures or to just go barefoot in front of others. At Foot First Podiatry, we surgically shorten and straighten their toes, we hide all of our incisions to give patients a cosmetically pleasing outcome and the confidence to show off their feet! 

Toe Shortening | www.footfirst.com

What about the fungal nail procedure, what is that? 

Patients also come in because of embarrassing thick and discolored fungal toenails that have failed home remedies and over the counter medications. They are still in search of a solution for this stubborn infection.  At Foot First Podiatry, we treat fungus aggressively not only with topical and oral medication, but also with our fungal laser to provide impressive results ready for sandal season and pedicures.

When should I start seeing results?

Optimal results take 6 months to a year for all of the mentioned procedures, which makes winter time the perfect season to schedule your appointment and get your feet fixed beautifully by the doctors at Foot First.

If you would like a consultation regarding any of these issues, please use the contact us form on our website or give the office a call at 847-352-9221.